2025 has been nothing short of dramatic for the Manchu family. On one hand, the year brought them long-awaited hits in Tollywood, with both Manchu Manoj and Manchu Vishnu finally silencing critics through Mirai and Kannappa. On the other, the family found itself in the eye of a storm, as private disputes spilled into public controversy. With their father, veteran actor Mohan Babu, reportedly siding with Vishnu during a heated conflict over family assets — even allegedly raising his hand against Manoj — the family name was dragged into headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The feud, which played out in the media earlier this year, shocked fans who have always seen the Manchus as a united force in the Telugu industry. Rumours swirled about disagreements concerning property and management of family assets, with Manoj openly voicing his frustrations. The situation escalated when videos of arguments surfaced online, sparking widespread debate. Mohan Babu, known for his stern and traditional stance, backed Vishnu during the dispute, leaving Manoj isolated and heartbroken. For weeks, it seemed as if personal wounds had eclipsed professional ambitions.
And yet, cinema has a strange way of rewriting narratives. Manoj’s Mirai came like a thunderclap, putting him back in the limelight. His role as Mahabir Lama, the enigmatic Black Sword, captivated audiences and transformed him into one of the most talked-about actors of the year. Not only did the film storm the box office with pan-India success, but Manoj also described it as the most emotional chapter of his career, recounting how his mother’s embrace and his children’s admiration made the success deeply personal.
Meanwhile, Vishnu, often the butt of trolls for his long list of flops, surprised many with Kannappa. While critics had mixed views on the film overall, they acknowledged his sincerity, particularly in the final 20 minutes where his performance stood out. For an actor often accused of wooden expressions, this shift was a welcome redemption. Moreover, the fact that Vishnu had written the screenplay himself proved his commitment to evolving as an artist.
The irony hasn’t been lost on observers — the same year that exposed bitter cracks within the Manchu household has also been the year of their professional revival. Industry chatter suggests Manoj’s market value has shot up dramatically, with his remuneration even surpassing that of co-star Teja Sajja in Mirai. Vishnu, too, has found a fresh lease of life after years in the shadows.
As Manoj gears up for ambitious projects like David Reddy, a British-era action saga, Abraham Lincoln with T-Series, and Rakshak, where he will appear as a powerful police officer for the first time, Vishnu continues to ride the goodwill of Kannappa. Their sister, Lakshmi Manchu, though yet to find a major box office breakthrough, remains a respected voice in the industry, and fans are rooting for her to complete the family’s winning streak.
In the end, 2025 may be remembered as a year of extremes for the Manchus — a year when bitter personal conflicts threatened their unity, but box office triumphs restored their cinematic pride. If the controversies showed their vulnerabilities, the successes reminded everyone of their resilience.
